PHYS 1410 – Applied Physics - Spring 2026

Section Specific Information 

Synonym: 26703

Section: 003

Lecture time: TTh 1:30pm-2:50pm

Lecture location: NRG2 2240

Lab time: TTh 3:00pm-4:20pm

Lab location: NRG2 2228

Format: Face-to-Face

Instructor Specific Information 

Instructor: Dr. Marilyn Wells

Email: marilyn.wells@austincc.edu

Office Hours: M-Th 12:30pm - 1:30 pm in NRG 2219, or by appointment

Other Contact Method: Blackboard

Course Description

Credit Hours: 4

Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3

Laboratory Contact Hours per week: 3

This is a one-semester survey course in physics intended to give students an overview of physical concepts as well as experience applying those concepts to simple problem solving. Topics include kinematics, Newton’s laws, conservation laws, density and elasticity, fluids, temperature and heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, light, and color. PHYS 1405 and PHYS 1410 may not both be taken for credit, nor may PHYS 1407 and PHYS 1410 both be taken for credit.

Course Rationale/Objectives 

This course is designed for students who are pursuing degrees in scientific, health, and technical majors.  It is intended to provide an overview of basic physics to help students fulfill degree requirements and to prepare students for further studies.  Since our courses are intended for transfer to a four-year institution, they will be taught at the University level.

Course Prerequisites:

• A grade of C or better in MATH 1314 or equivalent.

Required Texts/Materials

• Physics Classroom: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class

Scientific calculator (NOT your phone)

Instructional Methodology

This course combines lecture and lab.  Student attendance is mandatory during the lecture and lab period times listed in the college course schedule. Lecture and lab sessions will be held live in person during the lecture and lab periods listed.

Required Accounts and Services

You MUST be able to participate in class activities and do online labs and assignments. In order to do this, you must sign up for the following services. Do this by the end of the first week of class. These services are REQUIRED.

1. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS will be done online using WebAssign by Cengage.
   • Click the “homework” button on Blackboard and register for a new account (if needed).
2. LIVE RESPONSE POLLS will be done almost every day using PollEverywhere
   • You do NOT need to register for an account. 
   • I recommend downloading the PollEverywhere app to use on your phone. The username for my presentation is “marilynwells121”
   • You can also answer polls from a browser window at Pollev.com/marilynwells121

1. Physics Classroom has the reading list, practice activities and simulations
   • You will receive further instructions the first week of class

Student Technology Support

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up Wi-Fi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. Wi-Fi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available under 'Internet Access' at  Student Technology Services.

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit Student Technology Services.

Copyrighted Materials

All class materials provided on ACC web pages, electronic reserves, on disk, and in printed form are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright holder. Reproduction means photocopying, scanning, copying downloaded files, or posting any of these on a server, website, social media, or any online forum.

Student Learning Outcomes

Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to translate common language descriptions into multiple physical representations (e. g. diagrams, mathematical equations, physical models) and vice versa.
• Demonstrate the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate findings in terms of fundamental physical concepts.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Newton's Laws of Motion, and quantitatively solve problems through the application of those laws to simple physical systems.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of physical conservation laws, and quantitatively solve
• problems through the application of those laws to simple physical systems (charge, energy & momentum).
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of circular motion, and solve uniform circular motion problems.
• Demonstrate understanding of elastic forces and define properties of matter (charge, density, tension, and compression).
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the properties of fluids (e.g., pressure, and buoyancy) to solve quantitative problems regarding simple physical systems.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of wave motion and oscillations and related properties to solve quantitative problems regarding simple physical systems. (Doppler shift, standing waves, harmonics, reflection, refraction, transmission & reflection coefficients).
• Demonstrate a basic qualitative understanding of properties of light and optics (e.g., electromagnetic spectrum, converging & diverging lenses, diffraction, & thin film interference).
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the relationship between temperature and heat.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the properties of electrical circuits to solve quantitative problems involving simple electrical circuits.
• Demonstrate a basic qualitative understanding of the properties of electromagnetism (e.g., electric & magnetic forces, and electric currents in magnetic fields).

Course Policies

Attendance Policies

Standard ACC Policy: “Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.”

Attendance and class participation will count for 5% of your final grade.If you miss a class, you cannot make up the work given on that day and the credit that goes with it. If a student misses a class or lab, the student is still responsible for the material covered.

Grading System 

The final course grade will be based on the following weights:

Lab activities 25%

Two (2) exams @ 15% each 30%

Comprehensive final exam 30%

Homework 10%

Attendance/participation   5%

The distribution of grades is as follows:

90-100% → A; 80-89% → B; 70-79% → C; 60-69% → D; <60% → F

Important note:

ACC Department of Physics policy: 

A student must earn a grade of “C” or better in the laboratory portion of the course as well as a grade of “C” or better in the lecture portion of the course in order to earn a grade of “C” or better in the course. If he or she does not earn a grade of “C” or better in both the lecture and the laboratory sections of the course, then their grade for the course will be a “D” (unless due to their overall course average they have earned an “F” for the course). The grade in each portion, either lecture or laboratory, of the course will be as outlined in the syllabus and the determination of the grades will be as stated in the syllabus.

Thus, it is possible for you to earn an “A” in the lecture/lab portion of the course, but then because you earned either a “D” or an “F” in the other portion you will get a “D” for the course even if your overall course average is > 70%.

In this course, the laboratory portion is defined as the lab activities only, and the lecture portion is the rest of the course. Both the lecture portion and the lab portion of the course will be computed separately, each based on a maximum score of 100%. Each score, separately, must be above 70% in order to earn a grade of “C” or better in the course. If either score is less than 70%, but the two scores when combined are above 60%, the grade for the course will be a “D”. If the two scores when combined are less than 60%, the grade will be “F”.

Lab Policies

Each lecture may incorporate one or more lab activities, including video experiments/demonstrations, in-lab  experiments, simulations, and/or problem-solving. Some activities are meant to be completed that day, while others will be continued over subsequent days. Current lab activities take precedent over previously unfinished lab work. Lab activities may be done individually or in breakout groups. Lab groups are randomly assigned at first. Later on you’ll be able to choose lab partners. Lab groups cannot have more than 4 students. Lab handouts will usually be posted to Blackboard in advance. Instructions will be either posted in advance or given in class.

Lab handouts include instructions for the activity and the prompts, tables, and follow-up questions for the final lab write-up. You don’t need to reformat it. Just fill in the lab handout, add the required graphs, sketches, etc., and turn it in by the end of the following week. Each member is responsible for submitting their own work. Lab activities may have a follow-up quiz that needs to be done by EACH person in the group. If you miss a lab, you will need to make it up on your own time. Make-up labs must be submitted two class periods after the missed class.

Exam Policies 

There will be two (2) exams throughout the semester and a final exam on the last day of class. The exams will be composed largely of questions similar to the homework and worked examples in class. The emphasis of this course is on conceptual understanding, NOT memorization. Students are expected to demonstrate understanding and reasoning in their own words. The final exam is a comprehensive exam, similar in format to the first two exams. The final exam will be given on the last day of class without exception.

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies

Makeup exams will be granted on a case-by-case basis, and the professor must be notified in advance of the exam. If an exam (other than the final exam) is missed due to an emergency situation, its score will be replaced by the final exam score. If a second exam (other than the final exam) is missed, it will receive a grade of zero. An example of an emergency situation is a documented illness requiring medical attention of the student or someone in the student’s care. The instructor will require documentation of the emergency situation. If the final exam is missed, it will receive a grade of zero. 

NOTE: ALL communication-capable devices (cameras, cellphones, pagers, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, earpieces, etc.) are forbidden during an exam. Possession of such devices will be construed as intent to violate provisions on scholastic dishonesty. You may NOT use your cellphone or similar device as a calculator during an exam. 

Late work: You are allotted two (2) late submissions (homework assignments or lab assignments) throughout the semester. These must be submitted no later than one week after the original due date. No other late work will be accepted, and missing work will receive a grade of zero.

Homework and Homework Policies

Doing homework is KEY to understanding the material and doing well on exams. There will be 1-2 HW assignments EVERY week, each with 10-15 multi-part questions. Assignments are due one week later, OR the day before an exam (whichever comes first).

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Because this course requires attendance and participation, the professor may initiate withdrawal of a student after four (4) absences from class.

The Final Withdrawal Date can be found on the ACC Academic Calendar page at https://www.austincc.edu/students/registration/important-dates

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Policy on Incompletes

The departmental policy must be included verbatim, but instructors may or may not specify the types of documentation required and what is meant by “completed most of the material in the course.”

The departmental policy must be included verbatim, but instructors may or may not specify the types of documentation required and what is meant by “completed most of the material in the course.”

A grade of incomplete should be reserved only for extreme cases meeting the following criteria.

1. The student has had a documented life event beyond their control that will prevent them from completing the semester on time.
2. The student is in good standing (Grade of ‘C’ or better at the time of the life event from 1)
3. The student has completed most of the material in the course.
    

Before assigning a grade of incomplete, the instructor and the student must agree to a plan of action that includes a specific list of tasks to be completed by the student with a timeline of completion. This plan needs to be approved by the department chair (or designee). Incompletes must be resolved before the final withdrawal date of the following semester. 

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant.  The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not.  The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade. 

1. Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine a plan of action that identifies all of the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form with the plan of action and send it to the department chair (or designee) to be approved.
    
2. Once approved, the faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   
    
3. The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  

1. Students will retain access to the course Blackboard or other LMS named here through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard or other LMS named here and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  
    
2. When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 
    

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

Student Discipline

Students enrolled in this course are expected to comply with the provisions of this syllabus and the Student Standards of Conduct. With the exception of scholastic dishonesty, violations of the Student Standards of Conduct will be reported to the Campus Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.  Any student suspected of scholastic dishonesty will meet in private with the professor to discuss the alleged offense(s) and review the evidence that supports the charge.  After conferring with the student, the professor will dismiss the allegation or assess an academic penalty.  A student will be informed in writing if an academic penalty is assessed.  He or she should consult the Student Handbook for his/her rights and responsibilities.

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

***This is a TENTATIVE schedule that is subject to change. Check Blackboard for most up-to-date due dates and schedule information*** 

PHYS 1410 – Applied Physics

Note about College Policies

Please visit https://offices.austincc.edu/institutional-effectiveness-and-grant-development/master-syllabi-college-policies/ for up-to-date details about College Policies and Student Support Services.